Dr. Wilhelm’s Risk Assessment approach to oral healthcare applies well to the evaluation and treatment of periodontal gum disease. More than 35 million people in the United States have some form of periodontal disease (PD). Signs of PD include gum infections, bleeding gums, mouth odor and loose teeth. Most people understand that poor brushing and flossing habits lead to PD but this is not the entire truth. As much as 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible and can’t do much about it. Dr. Wilhelm’s periodontal treatment and management program uses traditional approaches as well as new Oral DNA® testing to determine if you have a gene that makes you susceptible and whether you have specific bad bacteria that leads to bone loss. There are a variety of other risk factors that will lead to the loss of your teeth and there is a strong connection between the presence of PD and increased risk of heart disease.
If you have noticed any signs or symptoms of periodontal gum disease or want to learn more about how other risk factors may put your health in danger give Dr. Wilhelm a call at 651-227-2427 or email him to see how easy it is to get on your way toward a beautiful and healthy smile. Dr. Wilhelm is one of the first Minnesota dentists to use this new approach to test for and diagnose PD using DNA testing.
How Do I Know if I Have Periodontal Gum Disease?
Traditionally most dentists will examine your gums or gingiva to determine if there is any redness, puffiness or bleeding. Next an instrument called a periodontal probe is used as a ruler to measure the depth of the crevice or pocket around each tooth. The actual measurement is dependent on how hard the dentist or hygienist pushes on the probe but the deeper the pocket or higher the reading the worse the condition. Lastly, careful study of your dental x-rays is performed to look at the levels of bone holding the teeth in place. The problem with using these methods alone is that we can only determine whether you have disease after it is present and has already caused irreversible damage.
What Does Dr. Wilhelm’s Periodontal Management Program Do Differently?
By following a risk assessment approach, Dr. Wilhelm uses outcome-based systems to match any gum disease risk factors you may have to individual treatment shown to be effective. Because most people associate pain with gum disease, they think that if they don’t have pain they don’t have gum disease. Periodontal disease typically does not create pain until infections become severe and it is too late. The use of DNA testing allows Dr. Wilhelm to confidently diagnose periodontal infections and design tailored treatment plans for each patient. Clinical lab testing can also determine if you have a genetic susceptibility to the disease. Once this information is known then appropriate care and antibiotics can be prescribed. Further testing will reveal whether the treatment is working.
How Does Clinical Lab Testing Work?
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) uses DNA from bacteria or the DNA of a person to provide information about the disease causing (pathogenic) bacteria that may be found in the oral environment and about the genetic susceptibility traits that you may have.
This molecular test process has been called “the diagnostic test of the new millennium.” DNA-PCR is vitally important in two areas:
- The detection of pathogenic species (and the determination of bacterial amounts)
- The determination of genetic susceptibility traits
Both of these areas are “the missing links” to understanding periodontal infection and gum disease. Whether gingivitis or periodontitis, dental professionals cannot diagnose as early or as accurately without a molecular test such as DNA-PCR. DNA-PCR testing already has dramatically improved diagnosis in the world of medicine. Now, we can provide these very valuable diagnostic tools to help you determine the two most important risk factors associated with periodontal infections: the causative bacteria and genetic susceptibility traits.
When Is The Test Given?
In order to adequately evaluate any dental condition a comprehensive dental and periodontal examination including x-rays will be performed. If you associate with any of the concerned risk factors, the Oral DNA® lab test will be prescribed. The test is performed in our office and the results are typically returned within a week. Results will be privately discussed and a custom treatment proposal recommended. Early detection will allow Dr. Wilhelm to intervene sooner and propose more appropriate care and possibly prevent more serious health conditions from developing.
To find out more about your oral health or if you simply want to learn more about how other risk factors may put your overall health in danger give Dr. Wilhelm a call at 651-227-2427 or email him to see how easy it is to get on your way toward a beautiful and healthy smile.